Open: Olive This Olive That

The coming soon sign is gone, and Olive This Olive That opened for business today. From the company website, er Facebook page:

Purveyors of the freshest and most flavorful extra virgin olive oils and balsamic vinegars. Sourcing over 50 single and blend varietals and infused extra virgin olive oils, dark and white traditional method balsamics from Modena, Italy. All available for tasting and pairing. We also offer Papperdelle's hand-crafted pasta with over 50 flavors and types to choose from. Many are gluten-free. Exquisite sea salts from the Philippines enhance flavors of fresh produce, meats, and fish, used by many well-known chefs around the world. Beautiful reuseable gift bags also from the Philippines and also supporting cottage industries and families make a perfect gift for a hostess, a friend, a family member, or yourself.

Inside, the former nail salon space has been completely remodeled into a charming olive oil and balsamic tasting bar. Owners Janelle and Mary say they'll be open Thurs-Sun through June, and then 7 days a week starting in July.

It's nice to see a new food retailer find a foothold near 24th St.

Olive This Olive That
304 Vicksburg at 24th St.
415-251-7520

More Changes on Outer Church Street

A reader tipped us that Cece's Consignment shop at 1781 Church St is closing -- at least temporarily -- in order to comply with yet another ADA lawsuit threatening Noe businesses.

For those unfamiliar with Cece's, it's a well-curated consignment shop that the reader reports is "pretty great, despite its humble appearance from the street." This note is currently posted in the window:

Dear Friends and Amazing Clients,

Due to ADA/wheelchair accessibility requirements our shop has to close for renovation. We hope to be able to re-open our shop in three months.

We cannot thank you enough for all your support and amazing friendship. We truly enjoyed the past 14 years working and serving you. This has been a great lifetime experience.

For our consignments clients we will calling to schedule a pickup appointment. We are doing this in alphabetical order. Thank you for your understanding.

We look forward to keeping in touch and see you soon! Thank you! Gracias! Merci! Hasta Pronto! A Bientot!

Cece's closet.
Cecy xoxo

The building, which also houses Napra-Back & Muscle Treatment (1785 Church St), has two active permits on file:

TENANT SPACE NEW STOREFRONTS AT 1781 & 1785 CHURCH ST NEED TO BE UPGRADED FOR HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBILITY. WILL ALSO REQUIRE MOVEMENT OF ELECTRICAL & 2 NEW EXTERIOR LIGHTS. LOWER RAISED FLOOR IN 1785 CHURCH ST. 

REVISION TO APP#201204027356. SWITCH DOOR AND WINDOW LOCATION. PROVIDE LANDING HANDRAIL AND WHEEL GUIDE RAIL.  WORK TO BE DONE IN COMMERCIAL UNITS ONLY.

A neighboring business told us that although Cece's has to close, Napra will likely be open during the work - and that Cece really does hope to return in 3 months, if she can.

Good luck Cece's – hope you're back in business soon.

This Week At The Planning Commission: First Republic Bank Redux

A look at Noe Valley projects in front of the Planning Commission this week. Information is provided by the Planning Commission, and taken from its published agenda. All hearings are on Thursday at 1:30pm, Room 400 in City Hall.

June 14, 2012

3901 24TH STREET - on the southwest corner of 24th and Sanchez Streets, Lot 001 in Assessor’s Block 6508 - Request for Conditional Use Authorization, pursuant to Planning Code Sections 303 and 728.49, to convert a vacant ground floor commercial space into a financial service (d.b.a. First Republic Bank) within the 24th Street - Noe Valley Neighborhood Commercial District and a 40-X Height and Bulk District.

Preliminary Recommendation: Approval with Conditions

The application is now online in PDF. Included is Planning Staff analysis and drawings. Not included this time is letters for or against. However, under "Public Comment" the analysis says this: "The Department received a number of e-mails, letters and telephone calls that expressed opposition to the Project. The Department received a number of letters that expressed support of the Project." So there's that.

[SF Planning: 3901 24th St (PDF)]
[NVSF: Announced: First Republic Bank]

This Week In Noe Valley: La Bou Is Assimilated, Tombstones, Noe Shoals And More

News from, about and for Noe Valley from around the interwebs:

• Chicks dig high-worth Noe Valley bachelor with multiple roommates [NYTimes; Also: Response]
• Noe Valley Chamber Music announces 20th Anniversary Season [NVCM]
• Map of San Francisco Archipelago now available as poster [Burrito Justice]
• The "First Gay President's" top fund-raising district is Castro and Noe Valley (94114), which has given him $248,048 this donating cycle [The Snitch]
• More fallout from the Starbucks – La Boulange deal [Inside Scoop]
• Big house, views, low ceilings, cheap finishes, no parking. $3.2M? Someone will buy it anyway. [Curbed SF]
• Please don't leave your junk on the sidewalk [Bernalwood]
• There are old tombstones on Valley St (and all over Ocean Beach). Anyone have pictures? [KTVU]

[Photo: Construction at the future site of Mill, NVSF]

Closing: Design Quarter

The small, locally-owned furniture and antique store at 1478 Church is closing at the end of the month. Not a victim of the ADA lawsuits plaguing businesses along the Church and 24th St corridors, Design Quarter tells us the landlord is raising the rent. Combine that with a down-sizing of the space (the landlord wants part of the space) and the business is untenable. Design Quarter won’t be looking for a new spot in Noe Valley, but it will be selling items on consignment in the garage part of Decor Galore on Sanchez at 24th (formerly the Garage Store). Sad to see DQ go – it was a nice addition to the Church Street corridor.

Town Square Funding Update: $150k And Counting

Call it currying favor or good karma: First Republic Bank has just stepped up with the largest donation pledge to date for the Noe Valley Town Square. From Todd David:

I'm happy to announce that First Republic Bank has made a pledge to help make the Noe Valley Town Square a reality. First Republic has requested that we keep the pledge amount confidential; however, I'm pleased to report that it is the largest single pledge we have received to date.

Once First Republic gets final approval to move in to its new location on 24th and Sanchez, look for a "Save The Noe Valley Town Square" poster in its window.

Todd has received assurances that the pledge is not contingent on Planning approval.

Yesterday the BJ Droubi team pledged $10,000. [Ed.--The amount of BJ Droubi's pledge has not been disclosed; an error on our part] It seems fitting to us that the Town Square is funded by realtors, title companies and banks. And nail salons.

Also per Todd, The Town Square has raised approximately $150,000 so far. "Whether you are a neighbor, merchant, or simply a lover of open space, please make your pledge to the Noe Valley Town Square today at http://www.noevalleytownsquare.com/p/donate.html."

Only $1.85M to go.

[Noe Valley Town Square]
[NVSF: All Town Square Posts]

Volunteers Needed: Neighborhood Clean And Green

The San Francisco Department of Public Works is organizing a Community Clean Team event for Districts 8 and 9 this Saturday, June 9th. From the DPW:

Volunteers can expect to do a variety of cleaning and greening activities such as – planting, weeding, wood chipping, graffiti removal, and picking up trash.  The event will take place from 9am – noon and will kick off at Fairmount Elementary School (65 Chenery Street).

Volunteers are encouraged to RSVP to volunteer@sfdpw.org.

Meeting: Upper Noe Neighbors June 2012

Vicki Rosen sent the agenda to this month's meeting, and also a call to arms. Emphasis ours:

We have a good meeting planned for June and hope many of you can attend. Here's the agenda:

• J-Church effectiveness study and proposals--MTA's Transit Effectiveness Program will present options for improving service on our favorite streetcar line including suggestions they've gotten from people in our neighborhood so far. Also, MUNI reps will be there to discuss other issues we've been having on our line like the continued shuttling of non-J streetcars and excessive use of air horns.
• Police report focusing on the break-ins we've been having recently that aim mostly for expensive bicycles. Bad people are getting into garages that folks think are secure.
• Friends of Upper Noe Rec Center have applied for a grant to put an outdoor classroom on the Sanchez St. side...see the draft plans!

Wednesday, June 13, 7:30 pm
Upper Noe Rec Center (Day & Sanchez)

ONE MORE THING: We need volunteers to help Upper Noe Neighbors by being on the Board. It's very little work. We need ideas and a little bit of commitment. If we don't get people to step up to the plate, we'll have to reevaluate how UNN will operate in the future. Please help YOUR neighborhood group!